» Welcome Guest
[ Log In :: Register :: Search :: Help ]

Click here to add a report from another organization.
new topic
Organization: PeacePlayers-Cyprus
The following information may be cited or quoted as long as the source is accurately mentioned and the words are not taken out of context.
Posted: May 17 2010,06:07 If you wrote this report, you will find a button here that you may click
in order to make changes in the report.

Postal address of organization/institution

P.O.Box 21428, Nicosia, Cyprus 1508

E-mail address of organization/institution

cyprus@peaceplayersintl.org

Website address of organization/institution

www.peaceplayersintl.org

Telephone of organization/institution

+359-99-301586

PRIORITIES: All of the organization's domains of culture of peace activity

EDUCATION FOR PEACE
UNDERSTANDING, TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY

TOP PRIORITY: The organization's most important culture of peace activity

EDUCATION FOR PEACE

PARTNERSHIPS AND NETWORKS: What partnerships and networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the global movement for a culture of peace?

PeacePlayers-Cyprus is part of the global network of PeacePlayers programs with operations in Northern Ireland, South Africa and the Middle East using the moto that children who can play together can learn to live together.  We are also part of the Anna Lindh Foundation network promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding as well as the Cyprus Youth Development Network promoting collaborations among Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot NGOs.  PPI-CY has also been receiving the support of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation that promotes the use of sport for personal development and growth among youth.

ACTIONS: What activities have been undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence during the ten years of the Decade? If you already made a report in 2005, your information from 2005 will be included in the 2010 report.

Since 2006, when PPI-CY started its operations in Cyprus, it has worked with more than 1,500 children from the two main communities in Cyprus, the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot community, bringing them together in intercommunal events, twinnings, tournaments or summer camps using sport to promote understanding and tolerance.  Currently, PPI-CY works systematically with over 100 children in bi-weekly practices/meetings in their own communities and once every month the children travel to meet another PeacePlayers team from the other community and share the court.  Basketball is only the means used to make these encounters happen, our meetings are not competitive but fun and inclusive with the goal of helping the children overcome their fears, prejudices and taboos.








PROGRESS: Has your organization seen progress toward a culture of peace and nonviolence in your domain of action and in your constituency during the second half of the Decade?

We have definitely seen a lot of progress with the children over the last few years.  Most children had negative views about children and adults from the other community before starting with the program as children from the two communities have no opportunities for interaction and dialogue - they live in a physically divided island where only controlled and limited movement is allowed from one side to the other.  They also live in a heavily militarised island and the presence of military is very apparent all over the island.  Moreover, unlike their grandparents they have never lived in a city or a village with someone from the other community.  The PPI-CY has enabled these children to overcome many of their fears and prejudices and see the children of the other community as persons, as children like them who want to live in peace.

OBSTACLES: Has your organization faced any obstacles to implementing the culture of peace and nonviolence? If so, what were they?

We are faced with multiple obstacles in our work - some stemming from certain authorities who do not want to encourage interaction between the two communities, others from adults who do not value what we do and see us as naive or traitors, and also many times from parents who do not let their children cross to the other community to attend bicommunal tournaments or other events.  Another big obstacle unfortunately is lack of local funds to support our work on the ground.

PLANS: What new engagements are planned by your organization in the short, medium and long term to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence?

We will continue our operations with the 10 teams of children we have across the island and also plan as many bi-communal encounters as possible.  With a generous grant from the Anna Lindh Foundation we plan to undertake a training for our coaches on peace education techniques using sport to transmit the message of peace to them.

GLOBAL MOVEMENT: How do you think the culture of peace and nonviolence could be strengthened and supported at the world level??

A lot more support on behalf of the UN needs to come towards NGOs working to promote peaceful coexistence, both political as well as in terms of resources.  There is not enough pressure towards governments to support these efforts within their own countries.
Back to top
Organization: PeacePlayers-Cyprus

Click here to add a report from another organization.
new topic